Debut author + Northern Ireland | The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/books/series/debut-author+uk/northernireland
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Debut author: Liam Murray Bellhttps://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/jun/10/liam-murray-bell-debut-author
Orkney-born Liam Murray Bell's debut novel offers a fresh perspective on the Troubles<p>Set in Belfast during the Troubles, Liam Murray Bell's <em>So It Is</em> e conflict by juxtaposing the story of Aoife, a Catholic girl whose young life is warped by tragedy, with that of a vengeful republican paramilitary called Cassie. "What was really interesting to me, and the driving force behind the book, was Cassie's narrative, this idea of women becoming actively involved in the violence," Bell says, "because it's a hugely male domain and stepping into it raises all kinds of complications, but also because it's such a departure from the domestic sphere."</p><p>Bell was born in Orkney and grew up in Glasgow, but the first seeds of the 27-year-old's debut were sown as he studied English and creative writing at Queen's University, Belfast. "I do love the city and a big part of the novel was writing the place, getting a feel for the characters and their voices." The book finally took shape a few years later, during a PhD at the University of Surrey, and after sending the manuscript to a publisher he landed a deal in a matter of weeks. "Getting such a quick and positive response was a little bit disconcerting," he says, given his less successful experiences with earlier work. He has already started the follow-up, a contemporary story featuring the Occupy movement.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/jun/10/liam-murray-bell-debut-author">Continue reading...</a>FictionBelfastNorthern IrelandBooksCultureSat, 09 Jun 2012 23:05:45 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/jun/10/liam-murray-bell-debut-authorPhotograph: PRLiam Murray Bell: 'I love Belfast and a big part of the novel was writing the place.'Photograph: PRLiam Murray Bell: 'I love Belfast and a big part of the novel was writing the place.'Gemma Kappala-Ramsamy2012-06-09T23:05:45Z